Editing Your New Year’s Resolutions: 7 Practical Ways That Inspire Unconditional Self-Love | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Editing Your New Year’s Resolutions: 7 Practical Ways That Inspire Unconditional Self-Love

It's about time to start thinking about yourself.

30
Editing Your New Year’s Resolutions: 7 Practical Ways That Inspire Unconditional Self-Love
Savanna Lamas

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection” -Gautama Buddha-

In this generation, people are obsessed over their own image and how others perceive them. People are constantly comparing themselves to the declared “societal norms”. These images are found on magazine covers, television commercials, and social media sites and they are often hard to ignore. Instead of aspiring to lose fifty pounds, or to stop eating gluten (for these goals are usually only temporary) I challenge you to a more meaningful resolution: learn to accept yourself for who you truly are.

“It isn’t hard to love ourselves, or anyone else, when things are going well,” Washington, DC-based licensed psychologist Alicia Clark states. This is very true, it isn’t hard to admire yourself on a good hair day, or after completing a challenging workout at the gym. “What’s a much taller order is to love ourselves when things aren’t going well, and when we need love most.” In order to love yourself unconditionally, you must learn to accept yourself on both your good days and your bad days.

There’s no denying that total self-acceptance and unconditional self-love are important, but let’s face it: it’s a hard practice. Here are seven practical ways to encourage a long-lasting positive relationship with yourself

1. Cut down to life’s basics

When a person is in distress, the first areas to be affected are nutrition, the amount of sleep, and exercise. It’s important to remember to take the time to care for yourself. If you can be mindful of your self-care when everything is going well, then you can continue the pattern when times get tough.

2. Unplug

iMessage, Instagram, and twitter can wait. Our technology has become a routine way of filling up our moments of stillness, but this constant connection ceaselessly stimulates our brains and causes fatigue. Instead of staring at a bright white screen, try filling your free time with something meaningful.

3. Move

Objects in motion tend to stay in motion and objects at rest tend to stay at rest. This is why you feel so exhausted from oversleeping, or sitting around all day. By allowing your body to get some exercise, you inspire more energy, strength and the rush of endorphins which are very good for your body. Sitting down all day can make you feel sluggish and tired. Even if you do not have time to get a hardcore workout, treat yourself to a walk on the trails or some simple yoga stretches. Your body will thank you.

4. Learn to be alone

This may sound counterproductive at first, however learning to love yourself means that you should be able to accept and enjoy time alone. In your time alone you should focus on who you are and who you want to be. To stimulate this, take a hot bath, or read a new book. Yoga and meditation also prove to be a great way to connect with your inner self.

5. Stop the negative talk

In a scene from the infamous movie Mean Girls, “The Plastics” all stand around a mirror and point out everything that they dislike about themselves. This kind of talk is detrimental to our body images. Instead of focusing on the negatives, focus on what you love about yourself. This might sound silly, however staring into the mirror every day and complimenting yourself, can be a big confidence booster.

6. Forgive yourself

Eating too much Chinese takeout is not something to hate yourself for. When feeling worn-out, it is very convenient to reach to carbs, sugar, and fat for comfort. While these rich foods may cheer us up momentarily, the guilt can leave us feeling emotionally and physically drained. If you find yourself eating nutrient-deprived foods, switch it up with nourishing foods that are close to their natural forms.

7. Prepare

In life, you need to acknowledge that there will be circumstances that arise unexpectedly, and they may or may not be under your control. “Accept the fact that there are inevitable experiences that compromise your ability to love yourself, but difficulties don’t necessarily persist, and there is always a way to re-establish equilibrium,” advises New York City-based psychologist Brenda Bauer, Psy.D.

Remember learning to love yourself does not mean that you should stop improving. Life is always about improvement and finding balance. There is no better time to begin than now.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

441476
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

14760
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

40667
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

20696
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

321069
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments